Aug 7, 2026
Bitcoin's controversial BIP-110 proposal nears its activation deadline at block 961,632 (approximately August 8, 2026) with minimal miner support of around 2.4%, far below the 55% threshold, raising concerns about a potential network fork. Michael Saylor has called on backers to stand down, while supporters have prepared contingency plans including a proof-of-work hard fork.
In a research note published May 3, 2026, Galaxy Digital Research Director Alex Thorn reported that the Bitcoin community is coalescing around a consensus to leave Satoshi Nakamoto's coins untouched while preparing for quantum computing threats through post-quantum cryptography adoption.
Paul Sztorc announced a Bitcoin hard fork that would introduce a competing layer-1 blockchain and seven layer-2 networks, with plans to reallocate Satoshi Nakamoto's estimated 1.1 million BTC reserve to investors.
Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson releases a video calling BIP-361 a mischaracterized soft fork that would render 1.7 million BTC permanently unrecoverable. He tweets "Have fun stealing Satoshi's coins" directly at supporters of the proposal and argues Bitcoin's lack of on-chain governance makes the quantum problem unsolvable, while positioning Cardano's governance model as the alternative.
Bitcoin developers are weighing two approaches to quantum computing threats: BIP-361, which would freeze legacy coins over five years to force migration to quantum-resistant signatures, and BitMEX Research's 'Quantum Canary' bounty system that would only trigger a freeze after a proven attack occurs.
Following BIP-361's publication, Polymarket odds for "Will Satoshi Nakamoto move any Bitcoin in 2026?" climbed to 9.3%, up from 4.5% at the start of the year, drawing over $2.4 million in trading volume. Analysts noted the muted overall response suggests traders still view BIP-361 as a governance discussion rather than an imminent catalyst, but the doubling of odds signals growing market unease around Satoshi's estimated 1.1 million BTC.
Within 48 hours of BIP-361, three competing approaches surface. Adam Back argues at Paris Blockchain Week for optional upgrades over forced freezes. BitMEX Research proposes a reactive "canary fund" that only triggers a freeze if a quantum attack is proven on-chain. Justin Sun announces TRON will be the first major chain to deploy NIST post-quantum signatures on mainnet, though no technical documentation follows.
Jameson Lopp and five co-authors publish BIP-361, a three-phase plan to phase out legacy signatures and freeze any unmigrated coins within five years, including an estimated 1.1 million BTC attributed to Satoshi Nakamoto.